Stephen K. Benjamin

Early life, education, and early career

Benjamin’s parents were from Orangeburg, South Carolina, but relocated to Queens, New York, during the Great Migration in the 1960s. Benjamin later moved to Columbia to attend the University of South Carolina, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1991 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1994. While at the university, Benjamin served as President of Student Government, President of the student chapter of the NAACP, and later as President of the Student Bar Association.

Benjamin began his public service career as a member of South Carolina Governor Jim Hodges’ Cabinet, where he served as chief executive of a $43 million state agency employing 950 people. Benjamin also completed executive coursework through the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, participated in additional leadership programs, and was named both an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow and a Liberty Fellow.

Academic roles

In addition to his public service, Benjamin has remained active in academia. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Carolina Honors College and was the Spring 2022 Richard L. and Ronay A. Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow at the Harvard University T.H. Chan School of Public Health. He also helps an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Francis Marion University.

Political career

In 1999, Benjamin was appointed by Democratic Governor Jim Hodges to serve as Director of the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services, a position he held until 2003. In 2002, Benjamin ran as the Democratic nominee for Attorney General of South Carolina but was defeated by Republican Henry McMaster, losing by a margin of 11 percent.

During the 2000 presidential election, Benjamin served as a South Carolina state co-chair of GoreNet, a grassroots organization that supported Al Gore’s campaign. GoreNet focused on online organizing, grassroots mobilization, and hosting small-dollar donor events.

Mayor of Columbia (2010 - 2022)

In 2010, Benjamin won a special election to become mayor of Columbia, defeating Kirkman Finlay III in a runoff to succeed Bob Coble. In November 2017, Benjamin was the only candidate to file for the mayoral election and therefore did not appear on the ballot; he was automatically declared re-elected without any votes. On February 4, 2021, Benjamin announced that he would not seek re-election later that year.

His tenure focused on economic development, infrastructure investment, public safety, and inclusive governance. Under his leadership, Columbia experienced:

• Nearly $2 billion in downtown capital investment
• Over $750 million invested in water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure
• Consistent budget surpluses in 9 of 12 years
• Property tax cuts of more than 12 mills
• Restoration of the city’s reserve fund post-2008 crisis
• The first LEED Gold-certified municipal building in the city
• The nation’s first stand-alone stormwater green bonds certified by the Climate Bond Initiative

His administration also led Columbia to become the first U.S. city to ban bump stocks and trigger cranks, implemented the Justice for All initiative focused on 21st-century policing, and prioritized the city’s arts and culture through major investments and the appointment of a city Poet Laur.

Columbia received multiple accolades during his administration, including recognition by National Geographic, SmartAsset, and The Washington Post as a top destination for millennials and diverse populations.

National leadership

Benjamin served as:

• President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors
• President of the African American Mayors Association
• Vice Chairman of the Global Parliament of Mayors
• Executive Chairman of Municipal Bonds for America
• Co-Chair of the Sierra Club’s Mayors for 100% Clean Energy
• Chair-Elect of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce

He also founded two major national initiatives:

• The Mayors Leadership Institute on Smart Cities at NYU Wagner, providing mayors with best practices and strategies to implement “smart city” solutions
• The Mayors and Business Leaders Center for Inclusive and Compassionate Cities, promoting equity and compassion in city governance

Benjamin received numerous honors during and after his tenure, including the U.S. SBA Phoenix Award (2017) for his leadership during the 2015 floods and the 2018 USGLC Leading Globally Matters Locally Award.[[File:Secretary of Labor Julie Su listens to White House Director of Public Engagement Steve Benjamin 2024 (53803299340).jpg|thumb|Benjamin with US Secretary of Labor [[Julie Su]] in 2024]] Benjamin currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Civint.

White House role (2023-2024)

In 2023, President Joe Biden appointed Benjamin as Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, where he coordinated communication and outreach between the executive branch and a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including business, labor, civil rights organizations, and the general public.

Other professional activities

Benjamin has served in various public-private roles and on multiple boards:

• Chairman, FirstNet Authority Board (overseeing broadband communication for public safety agencies)
• Chairman, FLEX (a coalition supporting app-based workers and technology-driven job platforms)
• Co-Chair, BGR Group Advisory Board and U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
• Board Member, The National Judicial College and Benedict College
• Senior Fellow, Center for Financial Markets at the Milken Institute

He is also an experienced corporate director, having served on boards of both public and private companies in financial services, biopharma, risk management, and healthcare.

Personal life

Benjamin is married to DeAndrea G. Benjamin, a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. They have two daughters.

He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities.

Electoral history

• Benjamin was the only candidate to file; he was automatically declared re-elected with no votes.

Recognition and awards

• The Root's 100 Influential Black Americans (2011 & 2013)
• The Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official (2017)

References

References

1. "The Honorable Stephen K. Benjamin's Biography".
2. United States Conference of Mayors. "Congratulations to @SteveBenjaminSC, the 76th President of the United States Conference of Mayors!".
3. "Former AAMA President Stephen Benjamin Appointed to the Biden House".
4. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Search".
5. "GOVERNOR JAMES HOVIS HODGES (1999-2003)".
6. "Our Campaigns – SC Attorney General Race – Nov 05, 2002".
7. (15 August 2000). "GoreNet State Co-Chairs". Gore 2000.
8. (15 August 2000). "GoreNet: A Network of Young Americans Dedicated to Al Gore President". Gore 2000.
9. "Dubious new distinction for Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin".
10. (February 4, 2021). "Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin won't run again, will focus on family, law firm".
11. "Our Team".
12. "Mayor Steve Benjamin // About Steve".
13. ":: Welcome to the City of Columbia ::".
14. "Richland County: Official Results".
15. "City of Columbia Run-off: Official Results".
16. "Richland County: Unofficial Results".
17. "Steve Benjamin - the Root".
18. "Mayor Benjamin Awarded for Leadership During Thousand Year Flood".